Minke whale Snowy sets European sightings record

Snowy got her nickname because of a white patch on her dorsal fin

A minke whale nicknamed Snowy has set a European record for the number of years she has been seen.

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) said the whale has been visiting the Hebrides, islands off Scotland's west coast, for 27 years.

HWDT said this meant Snowy, named because of a white patch on her dorsal fin, had the longest-known history of sightings for the species in Europe.

Minke are a medium-sized whale that feed on small fish.

The whales can grow to 9m (29ft) and live for up to 50 years.

In the UK, most sightings of the species are made from Scotland.

Minke whale feed on small fish and most UK sights are made from Scotland

Minke whale can live for up to 50 years

HWDT monitors whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks off the Scottish west coast.

It has published a new digital catalogue of minke whale sightings, including photographs, from over the last 30 years.

HWDT said the record showed that more than 300 individual minke whales have been identified in the Hebrides since 1990.

It added that a third, 33%, have been seen more than once - some over many years and others numerous times.

HWDT said a whale nicknamed Knobble held the title for the most frequently recorded minke in the Hebrides, having been spotted more than 60 times since 2002, mostly in waters around Mull.

The charity said Knobble's nickname was due to a "knobbly nubbin" on top of his dorsal fin.